Hi, I'm Melissa. Pianist, traveller and music lover, I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and my family moved to Toronto when I was 2 months old. When I was five we moved out to the suburbs.
When and how did you decide to move to London? Is it complicated to settle down there?
During university I had friends leave on semesters abroad and it was then that the seed of living abroad was planted. After university a friend moved to Japan for a year. I decided I wanted to live abroad, even if it was for only a short amount of time. I chose to study in London and expected to be finished and back in Canada after 2 years. Nearly four years later and I am still here. There are so many expats in London and a wealth of resources to access. I found it was really easy to organize the technical side of everything, visa, housing etc. However it took longer to feel settled. It took somewhere around 6 months before I got over my homesickness and really started loving London.
Have you ever lived abroad before? How many countries have you visited?
I had never lived abroad before London. I had done some travel, and some of it for extended periods but being an expat is another ball game. To date I haven't been to many countries, I clock in around 15. However I have had the ability to travel slow and really get to know another culture/country rather than rush through on a whistle stop tour of a bunch of places at once. This type of travel suits me best.
What do you like the most about London / England?
London - I love the freedom afforded to everyone to dress/act/be exactly who you are.
England - the varying landscape and sheer beautiful inside this tiny country is astounding.
How is/was the cultural shock? What are the main differences with Canada, your home country?
There wasn't ever a jolt of culture shock. It was more slow and measured as I went along and settled in. There was huge frustration with the banking system, registering for a GP, and finding adequate housing. I was surprised at how low the standards of some of the housing available was, i.e. mice infestations, mould and dodgy landlord set ups etc.
I think the main difference of the two counties is their outlook on life. Canadian cities typically do well in terms of quality of life so this probably has an affect on the differing attitudes. Basically Canadians are laid back, open and friendly, and have a happy disposition and an optimistic outlook. The British (mainly Londoners) are a bit more guarded and closed off at first meeting. Their particular brand of humour (which I love) seems to be ingrained at birth, and they typically have a pessimist/cynical take on life. These are some sweeping generalizations so please keep that in mind.
Do you miss anything from your homeland?
Besides family and friends I do from time to time miss certain foods/drinks. I overwhelmingly these days miss living in a less congested city, where respecting your environment and other people around you is more of the norm.
Any 'memories of an expat' you would like to share with us? Your best souvenir? Or maybe your worst experience?
Up until very recently I've only had positive experiences while living here. My best memory has to be my entire trip to Cornwall last year September. I went with my partner and his parents for 7 days. Cornwall is one of the most gorgeous places in England, and I can't speak highly enough about it so I always want to share my time there as I feel a trip there is something that must be experienced.
My worst experience happened this year, during a trip to Kent for the Jubilee weekend. Long story short, also to not put too much emphasis on it, my partner (who is white British) and I endured a racist rant from some local teens on a train journey from Canterbury to Faversham directed at anyone who was 'coloured'. It was general and not directed at any one person but one of the teens upon realizing we were a couple (as we got up from sitting to board the train) crossed his arms and shook his head in disapproval at my partner. While on the train they regurgitated the tired old narrative of 'foreigners coming to my country need to leave'. I don't want to put emphasis on it because first it was clear how unintelligent they were, second they were only repeating talking points from racist groups in the media and not really put any thought behind what they were saying, and finally I've lived here for 4 years and it was only very recently something of this nature occurred. The British are very tolerant but I do think the conversation on immigration in this country needs to have a bit more sense, logic, and attention to history brought into it so that people like those teens actually understand what they are talking about.
London hosts the Olympic games 2012: what are the main changes in the city? How does this affect your day-to-day life? Will you attend the event?
The city has been tarred and dipped in Olympic garb. It is everywhere in central London, from statues of the mascots appearing in different outfits to Olympic rings strategically placed around. So far my life hasn't been affected but it is just a matter of time. I keep getting email reminders from Transport for London detailing which roads will be affected. Even without living in central London or Stratford (where the Olympic park is) most people in London will be affected. This past Monday (23 July) the torch went up my street so I had a friend over to partake in the excitement. That is where my participation in this ends. The men's and women's bike race is this weekend and if I can be bothered I might check it out as it will be very close to my area. I have other plans though so probably not.
On the whole I wish the games weren't happening in London but of course nothing can be done about that. I've been blogging about what the issues are and they don't include the travel disruptions although that will be a huge annoyance. I don't have to travel on the tube nor do I have to travel into central London for work so I think I will lay low and avoid most of it. I fly home before the end of the games so I am happy to miss out on a chunk of the chaos.
When did you start your blog? For what reasons?
My friend Shawn encouraged me to blog about my (mis)adventures in London. It never occurred to me to start one or that I would even like blogging. I started it in October 2008. I stalled after a post or two since I was very homesick so I just didn't bother to properly post. After a month home at Christmas I came back with the renewed sense of really trying to settle in London and lay down some roots. After that I started posting regularly and it sort of continued from there. Nowadays I continue to blog at times for my sanity and as a creative outlet. I also blog as a record for myself, friends and family. Finally, if I can help another potential or current expat then I'm more than happy to do that.
Did you make new friends with your blog?
I've met at least 4-5 people through blogging. When I was looking to move to London what I really wanted was a realist picture of what living in London was like. I didn't want the cleaned up, pretty picture version but in reality that is what you mostly get because people want to be positive on their blogs. London is pretty, and has so many iconic attractions here. However London is also gritty, has a problem with knife crime, and is a very transient city. I hope that I give an accurate picture of London and I want to start blogging more about working in social care as it gives a perspective to the city that only those who work in the field can give.
Why did you register on
https://www.expat.com and what do you think of the website?
I initially signed up because I wanted to be able to connect with others expats. Almost 4 years later I have found that the blogging community has given me much more than I could ever add to it. So now I try to pay that back and help others making the transition or thinking about it. Currently I fall in and out of love with London all the time, sometimes daily or even hourly. I think often about being an expat for a second time. This may or may not happen but a girl can dream! Now I am looking for blogs of people living in the destinations that I am considering for that second move.
Which advice would you give to the other Expat blog members who would like to settle in London (or England in general)?
I usually say that a person thinking of moving here should visit first if they have not, as I never stepped foot on British soil before moving here. However, I think I am in the minority on that one, most people have been to England before they move here. So now I say to tap into the blogosphere and also continue to use websites like Expat blog. Even if you don't blog yourself read a few as you will get a more accurate picture of your future adopted country.
Also remember there will be an image of what you think London will be like and reality. This is with all places but London is heavily photographed and features a lot in TV and movies. Don't get too disappointed if these do not fully match up. Finally, it does take time to get to know the place and meet people. If you feel like turning around and getting on a plane (as I did initially) you are not alone. Give into the feeling and call friends and family. Then shut that all off and explore your new home remembering that you are in one of the greatest cities in the world.
